looking for a dslr...FINALLY! - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

08/11/2010 04:06:48 PM · #1

Hello all!
Those of you who met me at the NYCGTG will be sooooooooooooo relieved to know that I will most likely get a new DIGITAL camera! I am thinking about the t1i or t2i, or I did see a refurbished 50d body for $800. Of course the t1i I am finding at a great price (and in my price range) because the t2i is the new model. Also, the kits come with the same lens I already have, though mine is about 15 years old. Should that lens be OK with any of these cameras, or should I look for a kit, which means I would be getting the T1i. What are your opinions...stick within my price range and maybe get a new lens if I get a kit(t1i)...or go over my price range by $200 and use my current lens (t2i,50d). How much better is the 50d and should it last longer than the t1i/t2?

Thanks for your help!

Message edited by author 2010-08-11 23:53:26.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

08/11/2010 04:41:24 PM · #2

.

I have the 50D (which is what I assume you are referring to), and I do love it quite a bit.

Of course the T2i is a very nice camera as well, and there's nothing effectively WRONG with the T1i..

In the end though, avoiding kit lenses is probably smart, unless you get something that has the EFS 15-85mm IS as a kit lens..

What is your "current lens"?

I might be so bold as to suggest buying a nice 40D that's lightly used, and then dumping your money into a good lens, later you can upgrade the body, but a good lens will make just about any body seem pretty nice... While a bad lens can make even a 1DmkIV seem like a cruddy camera. (a very, very fast cruddy camera)

cowboy221977

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

08/11/2010 07:22:05 PM · #3

I would really advise to go with Canon....I have a canon 20d and would love a 50d. If you can afford it go with the 50d

08/12/2010 01:31:33 AM · #4

thanks for the replies so far:)
just to clarify since I goofed when I first posted... I meant 50d not d50. I found out the new and too good to be true 50d is just that...it is a polycarbonate body and apparantly a shady company to deal with. I did email someone from amazon.com about a used 50d for about $820. He had way better reviews, too!

The lens I have is a Canon EF 35-80 1:4-5.6.

I'll probably end up with a T1i and down the road get a better lens...I have a local shop to check out and a cousin who may be able to find something as well. Thanks again...more comments or suggestions for places to shop at are welcome.

eta: costco has a T1i kit w/ a EF-S 18-55IS & 2g card for $729. Hmmmmmm.
eta again: OMG! I am such a goof! What is a dlsr? That's what happens when I'm in a hurry on my phone! Is there a way to fix the title?

Message edited by author 2010-08-12 01:40:32.

FrankRobinson

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

08/12/2010 08:15:25 AM · #5

That 35-80 is both pretty slow, and not very wide on a 1.6 crop body. The kit 18-55 IS is really not a bad lens (of course there are plenty better - but they cost more!) so I would be tempted by any deal which allows you to get a slightly better lens than your current one.

spiritualspatula

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

08/12/2010 02:15:40 PM · #6

It may be worth your time to check out your local craigslist/ebay for the 18-55. I agree that the 35-80 is not wide enough and may be frustrating to you. It's possible that you'd be able to find the lens on its own even cheaper than offered as part of a package because everybody tries to get rid of them eventually- the market is pretty saturated, so prices are low.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

08/12/2010 03:22:45 PM · #7

The 18-55 IS is a great starter lens. You can't go wrong with it, especially with used ones available for around $100. The non-IS version is ok, but not as good. My first DSLR was a Rebel XT which came with the older version. when I upgraded the the 18-55 IS, I could tell the difference.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

08/12/2010 03:32:15 PM · #8

Your title is fixed :-)

R.

Olympus 17mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko

08/12/2010 11:18:23 PM · #9

look at that!it is fixed! that was very nice of you to fix it! If I goof again can I fix it? i looked when I was editing original post but couldn't find anything.

I will look at buying a seperate lens instead of a kit and yes it would be nice to have a wider lens. Thanks for all your input!

PennyStreet

Olympus OM-D E-M1

08/12/2010 11:50:15 PM · #10

Hey Allie - My husband,

tvsometime bought a Rebel T2i a few weeks ago and is loving it!! The live view is really cool and it's 18 megapixels. I have used it a bit and found it pretty sharp and responsive. I think you'll find that you like it very much.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

08/29/2010 09:54:28 PM · #11

get this, I go to the canon website to compare specs and there is a new 60d w/ a swivel display. I loved that on my old S2IS. Hmmmmm, should I just break the bank and go crazy? I HAD narrowed it down to a t2i kit and a used 40d. The 60d with that display is looking purdy darn nice too!

eta, the 60d is compatible with sd cards, which I have, so I wouldn't have to buy cf cards or a reader. another point for the 60d!

Message edited by author 2010-08-29 22:00:00.

JustCaree

Canon EOS-1000D Rebel XS

08/29/2010 10:31:20 PM · #12

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

I second that... I just went to IS... and wow its a HUGE difference!! Im very happy with my two lens that I have which most consider "standard"

hawkeyefilms

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

08/29/2010 10:52:30 PM · #13

I've been using the T2i for almost 5 months and have been really lovin it. I bought it mainly for it's video features but have really enjoyed embracing serious still work for the first time (although I've had various SLR, 35 mm film, 120mm roll film and digital P&S over the past 20+ years). I have my eye on the 60D specifically for the articulated display for video work and therefore am considering flipping my T2i for the shiny upgrade.

09/07/2010 03:26:23 PM · #14

thanks for the input everyone! I'm now really considering the 50D w/ a 28-135 IS lens. It is refurbished from adorama w/ a 1 year warranty for $950. Really, really more than I wanted to spend, but I have a feeling I will like this alot, and I am hoping it will last for 5+ years(really, really hoping)
My next order of biz is to get a compact flash card and a few other things. Has anyone tried the neoprene cover for slrs? I've seen them on amazon. For me, it would make it easy to switch from bag to bag.

to hawkeye, yes, the articulated display is nice :) I used it when I was trying to be sneaky around my nephew & neices and others for candid shots. Also great for on a mono-pod and for crazy perspective shots.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

09/15/2010 05:18:06 PM · #15

I just took the plunge and submitted my order for a 50d, cf card, neoprene case and adapter ring! If all goes well, my 'big girl' camera should arrive next week! I can't wait to use some of the filters I haven't used in awhile and my lb. Just to be able to play around and not worry about wasting film will be nice. Thanks for all the input!

MikeO

Fujifilm x100

09/15/2010 05:22:12 PM · #16

Yay ! You will love the 50D, enjoy!

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

09/15/2010 08:23:11 PM · #17

Congrats, you'll love it I think.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

09/16/2010 01:31:21 PM · #18

Yay! It's here!

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

09/16/2010 01:46:10 PM · #19

Originally posted by alliebeal:

Yay! It's here!

Congrats!

The 28-135IS is a pretty consistent lens, the one thing I can say for sure is that the lens will always be a little soft (MTF Charts here), so don't think that you're missing focus or something, it's normal for that lens/body combo to not resolve all of the super-fine details, as the 50D's pixel density is quite high.

Oh, and don't freak about the IS in that lens, it's just noisy, sometimes you can even get it to go out of balance and really make some noise.

09/16/2010 02:22:39 PM · #20

Thanks for the heads up cory! I have the battery charging and the cf card to figure out after work. I'll have to wait till friday night to tinker with it.

Denise

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

09/16/2010 02:36:09 PM · #21

Congrats Allie - you deserve it!